Cameroon’s military is relatively well funded and professional compared to others in the region. Ground forces have been deployed to the Bakassi Peninsula to safeguard against threats from neighbouring Nigeria. As part of its drive to create a military capable of peacekeeping operations, Cameroon has sent personnel to train in Africa and abroad.

Cameroon’s military faces a lack of modern equipment, compounded by an overall drop in military funding over the last decade. The air force in particular suffers from a low serviceability rate, leaving it with few combat capable aircraft.

Cameroon’s navy is optimised for coastal and river patrol, especially in light of rising levels of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. It has around 40 coastal, inshore and river patrol craft as well as several combat patrol vessels. It is relatively well equipped in order to secure Cameroon’s oil installations and prevent maritime crime.

5. Cameroon threat report

Threat typ

Overview

External

• Cameroon is currently facing no external military threat.
• Reports have highlighted an increase in Islamic extremist presence in northern Cameroon originating from northern Nigeria.
• Incidence of maritime piracy has dramatically increased over the last 2 years in the Gulf of Guinea.